SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
LOS ANGELES, USA – Pop diva Taylor Swift was named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMA) Sunday, November 24, while other big winners included British boy band One Direction and crooner Justin Timberlake.
Swift, who took to the stage in a shiny golden mini-dress, also won favorite country artist and favorite country album for “Red” at the AMAs, which are voted on by the public.
Other highlights included typically idiosyncratic performances by Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, who wrapped up the three-hour show by singing her hit “Wrecking Ball” with a giant crying kitten.
Katy Perry opened the show on a Japanese theme, emerging demurely from behind a geisha-girl flanked screen in a kimono before launching into her latest hit “Unconditionally.”
Timberlake was the first winner of the show, aired live from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and hosted by Latino rapper Pitbull, taking favorite pop/rock male prize.
He also won best R&B/Soul album and best male R&B/Soul artist.
One Direction, who sang a stripped down version of their song “Story of My Life,” ended the evening with favorite pop/rock group and favorite pop/rock album for “Take Me Home.”
Rihanna took best female R&B/Soul artist, and was also presented with an AMA Icon award by her mother, who she joked used to say she had “an annoying, husky, little man voice.”
The evening took a brief political turn when best rap/hip-hop album went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis — who used a satellite link speech from Miami to refer to the notorious killing of black Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
“Due to the fact that we are in Florida . . . I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it,” said Macklemore.
But it was left to Cyrus — closely watched ever since her twerking turn at the MTV Video Music Awards — to end the show in suitably twitter-storming style, in a cat-covered bikini and with a giant orange and white kitten singing along behind her.
Here are the winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift
ICON AWARD: Rihanna
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S: Ariana Grande
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly, “Cruise”
TOP SOUNDTRACK: “Pitch Perfect”
POP/ROCK
- FAVORITE MALE ARTIST: Justin Timberlake
- FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST: Taylor Swift
- FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP: One Direction
- FAVORITE ALBUM: One Direction, “Take Me Home”
- FAVORITE MALE ARTIST: Luke Bryan
COUNTRY
- FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST: Taylor Swift
- FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP: Lady Antebellum
- FAVORITE ALBUM: Taylor Swift, “Red”
RAP/HIPHOP
- FAVORITE ARTIST: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- FAVORITE ALBUM: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “The Heist”
SOUL/R&B
- FAVORITE MALE ARTIST: Justin Timberlake
- FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST: Rihanna
- FAVORITE ALBUM: Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience”
ALTERNATIVE ROCK FAVORITE ARTIST: Imagine Dragons
LATIN FAVORITE ARTIST: Marc Anthony
ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM) FAVORITE ARTIST: Avicii
ADULT CONTEMPORARY FAVORITE ARTIST: Maroon 5
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL FAVORITE ARTIST: Matthew West
– Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.